Alfresco Becomes Open Invention Network Licensee

LONDON, July 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Alfresco Software, Inc., the leader in open source enterprise content management, today announced that it has become an Open Invention Network licensee. Alfresco is one of the first Open Invention Network startup licensees, joining a growing number of leading information technology firms that are dedicated to maintaining the health, vitality and collaborative power of Linux.

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Tuesday, July 31st, 2007

LONDON, July 31 /PRNewswire/ — Alfresco Software, Inc., the leader in open source enterprise content management, today announced that it has become an Open Invention Network licensee. Alfresco is one of the first Open Invention Network startup licensees, joining a growing number of leading information technology firms that are dedicated to maintaining the health, vitality and collaborative power of Linux.

Open Invention Network (OIN) is an intellectual property company that was formed in 2005 to promote Linux by using patents to create a collaborative environment. Open Invention Network promotes a positive, fertile ecosystem for Linux, which in turn drives innovation and choice in the global marketplace. This helps ensure the continuation of innovation that has benefited software vendors, customers, emerging markets and investors.

"As a leader in open source, Alfresco's active participation in our organization will contribute significantly to the open source community," said Jerry Rosenthal, chief executive officer of Open Invention Network. "We welcome Alfresco's involvement and look forward to more open source startup companies following its lead."

Alfresco has seen major adoption of its open source Enterprise Content Management (ECM) system throughout the world. The company now has more than 300 customers. The community version of Alfresco's open source ECM has been downloaded almost 700,000 times.

As an OIN member, Alfresco will share all of its existing patents with other OIN licensees, and will freely license future patents to the organization as they are developed.

"In signing on with OIN, Alfresco is seeking patent protection, not only for ourselves, but for the broader open source community," said John Powell, CEO and co-founder of Alfresco. "We want to work with our peers in an open manner on the patent issue, and not merely respond to threats from the outside."

OIN holds more than 100 strategic, worldwide patents and patent applications. These patents are available to all licensees as part of the ecosystem that OIN is creating around, and in support of Linux. Through the accumulation of patents that may be used to shield Linux users and the Linux environment, OIN has reduced the need for offers of protection from others. This collection of patents makes it economically attractive for companies that want to repackage, embed and use Linux to host specialized services or create complementary products. Additionally, it helps ensure the continuation of innovation that has benefited software vendors, customers, emerging markets and investors.

About Open Invention Network

Open Invention Network is an intellectual property company formed to further the Linux System by acquiring patents and ensuring their availability. It promotes a positive, fertile ecosystem for Linux, which in turn drives innovation and choice in the global marketplace. Open Invention Network has considerable industry backing. It was launched in 2005, and has received investments from IBM, NEC, Novell, Philips, Red Hat and Sony. For more information, go to http://www.openinventionnetwork.com/

About Alfresco Software, Inc.

Alfresco Software, Inc. is the first and leading open source alternative for enterprise content management. It is the first company to bring the power of open source to the enterprise content management market, enabling unprecedented scale and a much lower total cost of ownership than proprietary systems. Founded by a team of content management veterans that includes the co-founder of Documentum, John Newton, and former COO of Business Objects, John Powell, Alfresco is based in London. For more information, visit http://www.alfresco.com/